health
‘A pretty easy fix’: how I rid my kitchen of plastic
Worried about microplastics? Whether it’s titanium pans or loose-leaf tea, here are the changes you can make right now
TL;DR
- A viral article in 2024 wrongly advised discarding plastic spatulas, but concerns about microplastics remain valid.
- Heat accelerates plastic degradation, making kitchen items used for heating food and drinks a priority for replacement.
- Silicone utensils are recommended over hard plastic due to higher heat resistance and being derived from quartz.
- Wooden or bamboo chopping boards are suggested as alternatives to plastic ones.
- Glass storage containers like Pyrex dishes and jars are recommended for storing food.
- Glass or stainless steel kettles are offered as alternatives to plastic ones.
- Switching to loose-leaf tea avoids microplastics often found in teabags.
- Stainless steel or bamboo plates and cups are suggested for children, with silicone suction pads for added practicality.
- Glass bottles with silicone lids and stainless steel lunch boxes are also recommended.
- Titanium or ceramic-coated pans are alternatives to non-stick pans that may flake PTFE into food.